A u s t r a l i a

Queensland
The red hot outback. The lush green rainforests. The golden beaches and sunshine. The cool blue coast. The living kaleidoscope of the Great Barrier Reef. And the colourful towns and people.

Queensland is big, bold, bright and beautiful. Australians know it as the “Sunshine State”. As the old saying goes, “beautiful one day , perfect the next”.

This is the holiday capital of Australia , attracting visitors from around the country and around the world, all year round.

A Unique, Distinctly Australian Holiday
There’s no part of Queensland more colourful than the people. You’ll find the locals friendly, helpful and more than accommodating. The Sunshine State contains so many amazing attractions that Australia is famous for. It’s brimming with exciting cities, sunshine and pristine natural attractions. Queensland has a character and relaxing nature unlike anywhere else in the world.

Regions in Queensland...

The sun-drenched state of Queensland is divided into 14 regions each bursting with terrific places to visit and wonderful things to see and do. These regions vary in size, climate, landscape and attractions.

Brisbane Region
The Brisbane Region includes the state’s capital and has long been a popular holiday destination. In the heart of it all is Brisbane , a city with so much to offer - quality shopping, fine dining and a 24 hour casino as well as a variety of museums, galleries, theatres, wildlife parks and sanctuaries. Located in the south-east corner of the state, this is a dynamic and exciting tourist region including such highlights as beautiful Bribie Island and Moreton Bay, and charming towns such as Gatton and Boonah in the west. This region is Queensland’s most densely populated and boasts gorgeous weather all year round.

Bundaberg Region
The Bundaberg Region encompasses many great experiences, making it a great holiday location. This area marks the southern starting point of the Great Barrier Reef which begins with coral reefs fringing the shoreline and coral cays Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave Islands. With over 140 kilometres of unspoilt beaches and clear turquoise waters, the Bundaberg Region is home to many marine creatures. Humpback whales pass close to the shoreline when migrating and Australia’s largest mainland turtle rookery can be found at Mon Repos Beach near Bundaberg . Discover the sense of history mixed with wilderness adventures and rural experiences in this charming area.

Capricorn Coast Region
The Capricorn Coast Region is where the outback meets the reef. Located on the central coast of Queensland, this region has something for all visitors with attractions ranging from Great Barrier Reef island retreats to heritage buildings, state forests, national parks and outback territories. Experience the richness and diversity of this region. Its main city Rockhampton is graced with superb examples of its European and Aboriginal history, while the coastline boasts lush rainforests, sub- tropical islands and unspoiled sandy beaches. To the west there is a colourful patchwork of diverse farming, cattle and mining industries in the rural hinterland, while the central highlands and gemfields offer the opportunity to strike it rich fossicking for gemstones.

Fraser Coast Region
The Fraser Coast Region has an incredible diversity of experiences on offer and an amazing variety of landscapes. It has long surf beaches, freshwater lakes, pure white sands, cliffs and gorges in shades of yellow, red and orange. Each year the friendly humpback whales come to play in the sheltered waters of Hervey Bay. The town of Maryborough is rich in history while the majestic Bunya Mountains provide a beautiful backdrop for the region, its rich farmlands and old mining villages.

Gladstone Region
The Gladstone Region, situated on the central coast, is a unique area of Queensland. The city of Gladstone is developed on hills overlooking its natural deepwater harbour. As the centre of the Southern Reef, the region provides easy access to the miracle of the Great Barrier Reef . To the south of the city lies the shire of Calliope which, with idyllic, secluded beaches and scenic national parks, completes the diversity for which the region is known. The landscape of Lake Awoonga is one of the most striking in the region, created by the expansive waters of the lake and the rugged peaks of Mt Castletower National Park. The most western point of the region, Kroombit Tops, a large plateau which straddles the intersection of the Calliope and Dawes Ranges, is equally impressive.

Gold Coast Region
Located in the far south-east corner of Queensland, the Gold Coast Region is an ideal holiday destination with its world famous surf beaches, sub-tropical rainforests, thrill-a-minute theme parks, wildlife sanctuaries and quaint hinterland villages. The towering skyline, sophistication and glamour of Surfers Paradise forms the hub of the region while the hinterland provides spectacular views, bushwalks and a forest retreat away from the city. Moving west from the coastline, the terrain climbs steadily to 1000 metres and to the breathtaking views of the Numinbah Valley and Springbrook. Mt Tamborine and Lamington National Park (Australia’s largest preserved natural sub-tropical rainforest)provide a backdrop to the Beaudesert Shire.

Mackay Region
The Mackay Region contains many facets that make it a worthwhile tourist destination. Features such as rainforests, mountains and gorges, rich plains and estuarine streams, beaches, islands and the Great Barrier Reef all add to its appeal. Mackay is a prosperous town that thrives on the commerce of sugar and the mines several hundred kilometres inland.

Outback Queensland Region
Outback Queensland extends north from the New South Wales/Queensland border to the Gulf country, a incredible distance of almost 3,000 kilometres. This is a vast and fascinating slice of the state which showcases our Aboriginal culture and pioneering history. This is also the land where dinosaurs once roamed and fossils remain as proof of their existence. See native wildlife resting under the shade of a leafy tree, the endless row of oil rigs in the great south west, opal fossickers or the carpet of wildflowers after the early spring rains. The open plains and country towns of Outback Queensland cannot be matched anywhere in the world.

Southern Downs Region
The Southern Downs stretches from Cunningham’s Gap in the north, south to the border towns of Wallangara in the east and Goondiwindi in the west. With a population of about 40,000, this is an area that prides itself on its old fashioned hospitality. Sample delicious stone fruits straight from the grower. Tour wineries and taste award winning wines. Explore the region’s history and heritage in a region that boasts Queensland’s first free settlement, first school and the home of Australia's wool industry. Take a bushwalk in spectacular national parks or share the romance of an open log fire. The Southern Downs takes you away from the pressures of city life and lets you experience real country life and traditional Queensland charm.

Sunshine Coast Region
The Sunshine Coast Region stretches from the Glass House Mountains to the Noosa Everglades and the Fraser Coast - South Burnett area. This magnificent region embraces spectacular beaches, mountain ranges and the rolling green hills of the hinterland. The beauty is immense but the region’s real appeal lies in its conscious effort to retain the environment and natural surrounds. Walk through lush rainforests and observe the wildlife, or enjoy a picnic beside a country river. The Sunshine Coast is best described as peaceful, serene and natural and makes a perfect holiday retreat.

Toowoomba and the Golden West Region
The Toowoomba and the Golden West Region’s central town of Toowoomba is known as the ‘Garden City’ and boasts over 150 public parks all alive with vibrant colour. Situated on the crest of the Great Dividing Range at some 700 metres above sea level, Toowoomba enjoys panoramic views, rich volcanic soil and four wonderfully distinct seasons. The Golden West comprises a vast expanse of rural Queensland including some of the prettiest and friendliest country towns in the state. This region encompasses the Darling Downs, one of the richest agricultural areas in the world and is easily accessible via major highways.

Townsville Region
The reef, rainforest and golden west come together in the Townsville Region to create one of the most beautiful places in the world. The city of Townsville is the commercial centre of this fascinating and thriving region which extends north to Mission Beach , west to Charters Towers, south to Bowen and east to Magnetic Island . Nature has plenty of surprises in store as you discover the magic of two of Australia’s most spectacular natural attractions - the Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage listed rainforests of North Queensland. Marvel at the region’s natural wonders and enjoy its unique fishing, boating and diving opportunities.

Tropical North Queensland Region
From Cape York in the north to Mission Beach in the south, cool rainforests, exotic reefs, islands and coral cays, the Tropical North Queensland Region offers an unforgettable holiday experience. Cairns is the heart of the Tropical North and provides the ideal base for exploring and enjoying the rich, varied pleasures of the region. This colourful and sophisticated capital of the Tropical North is alive with style and charm. The northern tropics is internationally recognised for its World Heritage listed reefs, rainforests and outback areas. Discover unspoilt beaches such as Yorkeys Knob, Trinity Beach and Palm Cove situated north of cairns on the Marlin Coast. Take a scenic drive north to Port Douglas and experience the Greater Daintree and Cape Tribulation World Heritage National Parks. Visit the quaint rainforest village of Kuranda and delight in its charm. The historical town of Cooktown is set on the edge of Cape York - one of Australia’s last stretches of primal wilderness embracing Aboriginal reserves, huge cattle stations, national parks and almost inaccessible escarpments. The Atherton Tablelands, a plateau of the Great Dividing Range averaging a height of 762 metres, links the tropical coast and outback with a vast expanse of rolling hills, rainforests , pasturelands and long extinguished volcanic crater lakes.

Whitsunday Region
Natural beauty abounds in the Whitsunday Region . Journey to the Great Barrier Reef from Australia’s second busiest marina at Shute Harbour near the lively town of Airlie Beach . Admire superb rainforests in the national parks and tropical islands with glorious beaches surrounded by pristine blue waters. Undoubtedly the jewel in this area’s crown is the magnificent Whitsunday Islands, 74 idyllic islands dotted along the coastline in some of the safest sailing waters in the world. Many islands are national parks, some are deserted just waiting for you to explore them, others offer the last word in luxury. Minutes away from the coastline, is the delightful town of Proserpine which has a thriving sugar industry, giant fish-filled dam and lush rainforests nearby at Conway National Park .

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